Snakes have had a slow start to spring despite one being found in Warrnambool’s central business district.
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Owner of Aussie Home Loans Warrnambool John Shannahan found a 1.5metre-long tiger snake about 9.30am in the laneway behind his Liebig Street store.
“I was surprised to see it,” he said.
“It was fairly aggressive when I first saw it.”
He said he hadn’t seen a such a large snake in the CBD before and was concerned for the safety of the community, especially children.
He kept an eye on the snake and maintained a safe distance while waiting for Neville Suter from Port Fairy Pest Control.
Mr Suter said tiger snakes were venomous.
“They can get very aggressive,” he said
Mr Suter had numerous tips for locals if they saw a snake.
“Don’t try and catch them or try and kill them,” he said.
“Ring a licensed snake-catcher.”
He said if locals found a snake it was best to keep an eye on it until a licensed snake-catcher removed it.
Mr Suter said there were no more snakes than usual at this time of the year despite relocating about six in the past fortnight.
He said it was the start of the snake season and that mild weather conditions had kept snakes inactive.
“It’s too cool so far,” he said.
Mr Suter urged residents to clean-up their yards and not leave rubbish around for snakes to hide beneath.
He said to wear adequate footwear when walking outside at night.
Mr Suter said snakes travelled and it was hard to tell exactly how it got into the CBD.
He said latching onto a vehicle was a possible explanation.
“They could hitch a ride,” he said.